A recent report by UNICEF - The State of the World’s Children 2021 revealed that the Pandemic has severely impacted the mental health of children, adolescents and caregivers in the 21st century. The report further states that although talks about mental health have sprung up during the pandemic, people seeking appropriate support are still under question.
The survey findings found that children in India seem hesitant to seek support for mental stress. Only 41 per cent of young people between 15 -24 years of age in India said that it is good to get support for mental health problems, compared to an average of 83 per cent for 21 countries. In fact, India was the only one of 21 countries where only a minority of young people felt that people experiencing mental health issues should reach out to others. In every other country, a majority of young people (ranging from 56 to 95 per cent) felt that reaching out was the best way to deal with mental health issues.
In India, children with mental health disorders are mostly undiagnosed and hesitant in seeking help or treatment. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry in 2019, even before the pandemic, at least 50 million children in India were affected with mental health issues; 80 – 90 per cent have not sought support.
“Children in India have been through a challenging time living through the risks and restrictions posed by the pandemic. Nothing could have prepared them for the onslaught of the second wave of the pandemic that hit India earlier this year. Children witnessed suffering and uncertainties that no child should have to see. Being away from family, friends, classrooms and play caused isolation and anxiety. Children have not only been living an emotional tragedy, many are also at a higher risk of neglect and abuse,” said UNICEF India Representative Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque.
The report further notes that as the COVID-19 Pandemic heads into its third year, the impact on children and young people’s mental health continues to weigh heavily. Through the pandemic, children have had limited access to support from social services due to lockdown measures. The disruption to routines, education, recreation, as well as concern for family income and health, is leaving many young people feeling afraid, angry, and concerned for their future.
According to data from UNESCO, over 286 million children up to grade 6 were out of school in India between 2020-2021. UNICEF’s rapid assessment in 2021 found that only 60 per cent could access digital classrooms. Many would not be able to continue their education. “In India, we need to break the stigma of talking about mental health and seeking support so that children can have better life outcomes. We must change the way we view mental health,” added Dr Yasmin Haque. “For children who are isolated and traumatized, we must make sure there is better understanding to maximize every child’s potential.”